How Long Does It Take for Dissolvable Stitches to Dissolve? (Open Rhinoplasty)

External sutures on your columella may be fast-absorbing sutures that typically fall off between one to two weeks postoperative. hope this helps. Dr Joseph

It’s not unusual for surgeons to use absorbable sutures across the columella and on the inside of the nose when they perform open rhinoplasty surgery.  Depending upon the specific type of suture utilized, these sutures resorb between ten days and eight weeks following surgery.  In some cases, if they’re bothersome or protruding from the nostril they can be removed early.  After seven to ten days these sutures are no longer providing structural support and have therefore outlived their usefulness.
            If you have specific questions regarding your sutures and rhinoplasty surgery, consultation with your surgeon is appropriate.  Your surgeon should be able to answer all your questions. 

After rhinoplasty permanent sutures in the columella are removed it about five days. Dissolvable stitches usually fallout at about the same time with a gentle cleansing.

When surgeons use dissolvable sutures in the columella, they often use plain gut, fast absorbing sutures, which typically fall off by 1-2 weeks. If 2 weeks have gone by and they still remain in place, i would request to take them out so that they don't leave any track marks around the incision.

Deeper sutures often used in rhinoplasty, such as PDS, that are buried and used for cartilage work, typically take a few months for the body to break up and absorb.
-David Mattos, Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

 In our practice, we perform closed rhinoplasty and use dissolvable stitches on the inside of the nose that usually take approximately one week to to dissolve.

It just all depends on what suture material is used.  Some dissolve in about a week.  some will require 4 months. Some in between.  It just depends on the type of suture.  The longer they stay in and the more they are visible on the skin, the more inflammation they may cause and the worse the scar may look.  I would follow up with your PS as scheduled so he/ she can monitor how your incisions are healing.  Best wishes.

Dear Lilly,

Thank you for your question.  That depends on what kind of stitch, and where it is, and what you are doing to it.  If that was a 'fast absorbing gut' suture on the external skin of the columella, and it is constantly moist with antibiotic ointment (i.e. never letting it dry out) should be about a week.  If it is a 'chromic gut' suture or if it is dry, will take a lot longer, maybe 2 weeks or more.  It is important to have the sutures dissolve or be taken out in the face relatively early as the longer the suture remains, the more likely you are to get a suture mark.  If they are still in, either have them removed or keep them very moist with antibiotic ointment to have them dissolve sooner.

Best Wishes, 

Pablo Prichard, MD

 The range for the sutures to dissolve with a Rhinoplasty are typically 2-4 weeks with 3 the average.  It's best to follow your post op instruction after the Rhinoplasty to assure these dissolve in a timely manner.

It depends on the suture your surgeon used.  From a few days to several months.  Donald R. Nunn MD  Atlanta Plastic Surgeon.